Hartmut Esser studied economics, social psychology and sociology at the University of Cologne. He held positions as Professor for Methodology of Empirical Social Research at the University of Duisburg (1978-1982) and at the University of Essen (1982-1985), as Professor for Sociology at the University of Cologne (1987-1991) and as Professor for Sociology and Philosophy of Science at the University of Mannheim (1991-2009). His research interests include methodology of the social sciences, family sociology, migration and integration of migrants, interethnic relationships, ethnic conflicts, sociological theories of action and, recently, educational sociology, especially educational systems and inequalities.